MLB

Yankees defeat Orioles; Swisher homers in 10th

LAST-SECOND SWISH: Nick Swisher (center) is congratulated at home plate after his 10th inning two-run homer against the Orioles last night. (AP)

BALTIMORE — Joe Girardi knew where the heat was headed if his plan to load the bases in the ninth inning with an intentional walk without first base being open failed.

“I am sure I am going to be asked about it if it doesn’t work,’’ the Yankees manager said of the unconventional strategy that had Rafael Soriano walk Nick Markakis with Orioles on first and second and two outs in the ninth of a tied game.

Girardi’s reasoning was that the right-handed Soriano is more effective against righty swingers than lefties like Markakis. Adam Jones, a right-hander hitter, was on deck.

“You got to manage what you believe in your heart,’’ said Girardi, who was rewarded when Soriano fanned Jones and sent the game into extra innings. “He had success off Adam Jones (0-for-6).’’

YANKEES BOX SCORE

Escorted into extra innings for the second straight night the Yankees walked out of Camden Yards a 6-4 winner, because of Nick Swisher’s towering, two-run homer to right field off Kevin Gregg in the 10th frame.

So after starting the season 0-3, the Yankees rebounded to sweep the Orioles in front of 22,919 chilled customers. They will lug a 3-3 record to Yankee Stadium tomorrow for the home opener against the Albert Pujols and the pitching-rich Angels.

“Three-and-three is a lot better than the alternative,’’ Girardi said.

While CC Sabathia said he felt better than he did Opening Day when he gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings against the Rays, he wasn’t dominant and survived getting hit in the left hand and left foot.

“I was trying to be too fine with my fastball and trying to make too good of pitches,’’ said Sabathia, who gave up four runs, eight hits and fanned eight in six innings. “I felt a lot better than the first time.’’

Curtis Granderson staked Sabathia to a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Jake Arrieta in the first inning. The Orioles scored twice against Sabathia in the second and twice in the fifth when they took a 4-3 lead. Granderson’s two-out, RBI single in the seventh tied the score.

Soriano was the latest Yankees reliever to star. One night after the bullpen provided

7 1/3 innings of zeroes, Boone Logan, Soriano and Mariano Rivera, who worked a rare third straight game, provided four shutout innings.

“It was a great job,’’ said Rivera, who recorded the final three outs for a second save in three chances. “We are capable of doing that.’’

Soriano tore the finger nail on the right middle finger warming up Tuesday night. Because of glue and tape, Soriano’s nail was OK and he was able to work last night, though he couldn’t pitch with the tape.

With runners on first and second and two outs, pitching coach Larry Rothschild visited Soriano and told him to walk Markakis.

“In that situation, it’s better to face a right-handed hitter,’’ Soriano said.

From there it was Mark Teixeira’s bloop double down the left-field line with two outs that kept the 10th inning alive and gave Swisher a chance to be the hero.

“All I am trying to do is make contact,’’ said Swisher who crushed the 3-2 pitch over the right-field wall. “Tex’s was the most beautiful double I have ever seen in my life.’’

george.king@nypost.com